Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Join the Design Review Board

The Design Review Board (DRB) needs you! The DRB is a seven-member body whose responsibility is to encourage development exemplifying the best professional design practices in order to enhance the visual quality of the environment and prevent poor quality of design. There are two vacancies for a professionally licensed architect, one of which must be a Goleta resident, and one vacancy for an alternate position. Members of the DRB are appointed to a three-year term. The DRB meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 3:00 p.m., and the position is compensated $50 per meeting. Put your skills to use in the community and apply today! Click here for an application. The position is open until filled. For questions contact Liana Campos, Deputy City Clerk, at (805) 961-7506 or lcampos@cityofgoleta.org.

Bringing Goleta’s History to the Future

The City of Goleta has been working with a consultant team from Historic Resources group to conduct a citywide historic resources survey. Information collected from the survey will give property owners and developers greater certainty about the historic significance of a site so that they can plan accordingly. It will also inform thoughtful decision-making by City officials, property owners, residents, and preservation professionals. The project consists of the creation of a comprehensive Citywide Historic Context Statement (a written document that provides the framework for evaluating a property for historic significance and integrity) and a Citywide Historic Resources Survey (a process of systematically identifying, researching and documenting properties that reflect important themes in the city’s growth and development).

Throughout the project, public input has been requested. Recently there have been two public workshops to discuss and receive input on both the draft of the Goleta Citywide Historic Context Statement, and specifically, the archaeological resource portion of the draft. A Tree and Landscape Study was also made available for public feedback and was presented to the Public Tree Advisory Commission for comments at their November 29 meeting. The next public workshop will be in spring. Get up to speed on the project at www.HistoricGoleta.org. To be notified by email or text message about public workshops and updates on this topic sign up here. 

Photo: Goleta Depot in 1912; streetside view

Goleta is a STAR Community

STAR Communities is a nonprofit organization that works to advance a national framework to evaluate and certify sustainable communities. The City of Goleta has been working toward receiving certification and we are pleased to announce that we have been awarded the 3-STAR Community Rating for national leadership in sustainability! The STAR Community Rating System (STAR) is the nation’s leading framework and certification program for local sustainability. The rating system was developed by technical experts, sustainability leaders, and local government officials to provide a transparent and data-driven mechanism to improve local communities. Cities and counties use STAR to measure their progress across social, economic, and environmental performance areas.

STAR certification provides a clear, data-driven approach to assessing communities’ sustainability efforts. Certification allows communities to credibly and transparently track progress toward overall sustainability objectives. A sustainable community promotes a healthy environment, a strong economy, and well-being for all residents, now and for future generations. The rating system is based on a cumulative score of 750 possible points available over 7 goal areas and 45 sustainability objectives. We are proud to have received a 3-STAR Community Rating, but know there is still work to be done. Click here to see our score. For more information on STAR Communities, please visit www.starcommunities.org.

H2S Community Meeting

The City will be hosting a community meeting on H2S odors in Western Goleta on January 10, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. at the Ellwood School Multipurpose Room. Representatives from various local agencies will be on hand to provide information about their roles and responsibilities and answer questions. Get up to date before the meeting, click here to learn about the regulatory roles of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District and Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and Environmental Health Services.

 

Message from Mayor Perotte

As you know, the Thomas Fire has affected Southern Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties in many ways. I know that I speak for all Goleta residents in expressing our gratitude for the hard work and sacrifices made by the valiant firefighters and public safety personnel throughout this emergency. They continue to minimize danger to our residents and property and are doing everything possible to extinguish this fire. Still, let’s not minimize the need for continued awareness and precautions until this fire’s threat to our community is completely eliminated.

Our City’s first priority is your safety. To that end, City staff has been coordinating with the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Services since the incident began to provide operational and communications support.  Thousands of individuals are serving on this incident from around the country and Goleta staff members are honored to work beside them.

Our City Council and staff are committed to keeping our residents well informed and safe from the fire, including providing timely information not only on fire developments but also resources available to you, such as mask distribution sites. Look for regular updates on our City’s website at www.cityofgoleta.org and sign up for alerts (see below) if you haven’t done so already.

For Up-to-Date Fire Conditions, Please Refer to Important Resources Below

How to Keep Abreast of Goleta-Specific Information and Developments

The City provides emergency updates in several ways:

  • Regular updates are provided through email/text notifications. Sign up here or text Goleta Emergency to 468-311 for notifications in English or Goleta Spanish to 468-311 for notifications in Spanish.
  • You can also email pio@cityofgoleta.org and provide your name, phone number (specify land and/or cell), email address and language preference.  Call 805-961-7508 and provide your name, phone number (specify land and/or cell), email address and language preference for notifications. Occasionally the City sends phone notifications with more critical and timely information. The more ways we have to contact you, the better.
  • Finally, sign up for emergency alerts from Santa Barbara County at http://www.awareandprepare.org.

Whenever the fires abate, that’s a good time to review your preparedness for a future emergency situation.  CalFire has put together these helpful resources:

On behalf of our City Council and staff, I want to express our deepest appreciation to Goleta residents and superb public safety personnel for your continued, cooperative efforts to bring this emergency to a conclusion, as safely and quickly as possible.

Thank you,

Mayor Paula Perotte

Pacific Surfliner Schedule Changes

A coordinated schedule change that will impact Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, Metrolink and COASTER trains began Monday, October 9, 2017. These adjustments are intended to improve reliability and provide enhanced coordination with other trains operating on the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo rail corridor. Learn more about the new schedule at http://pacificsurfliner.com/New-Schedule/.

The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) shared that the October 9 schedule change is the first of a two-part change which will ultimately allow for implementation of peak hour Pacific Surfliner service between Santa Barbara and Ventura counties in 2018, allowing for more people who live south to commute north to work in Goleta.

Not Just the 805 Anymore

To accommodate the growing need for telephone numbers in California, the new 820 area code will be added to the area served by 805. This is known as an area code overlay. An overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code, but does require customers to dial “1” followed by the area code and the 7-digit phone number for ALL calls, including calls within the same area code. Once it takes effect, whether customers are calling an 805 number or not, the dialing procedures are the same: 1 + area code + phone number.

Effective December 1, 2017, customers are asked to begin using the new dialing procedure. If you should forget, your call will still be completed. Beginning June 2, 2018, customers must use the new dialing procedure. If you do not, your call will not be completed and you will need to re-dial. Starting June 30, 2018, new telephone lines or services in the 805 area may be given numbers from the new 820 area code.

For more information, visit the California Public Utilities Commission website at www.cpuc.ca.gov/805areacode.   

Santa Barbara County is Ready. Are you?

We’ve been reiterating the importance of being prepared for an emergency. Here is information from Santa Barbara County that we wanted to share with you as well.  

Listed here are important preparedness tips BEORE an emergency or disaster occurs:

  • Register for Santa Barbara County alerts at www.AwareandPrepare.org. 
  • Potential Threats – Learn what disasters are likely to occur or have occurred in your area.
  • Locate Community Resources – Identify how authorities will notify you during a disaster, such as Aware and Prepare alerts, reverse 9-11, media reports and County resources listed below. In the middle of the night it might be door-to-door, or PA System announcements and sirens from Sheriff and Fire. 
  • Plan Escape Routes – Identify two ways to escape from every room and PRACTICE. Map and plan evacuation routes and a family meeting point.
  • Establish a Communication Plan – Plan how you will contact family members, especially children, seniors and those with accessibility needs; think about different ways to communicate and PRACTICE.
  • Make an Emergency Kit – Check with your local Office of Emergency Services or go to www.Ready.gov.
  • Maintain your Disaster Supply Kit.
  • Make Emergency Contact Cards – Keep the cards handy in a wallet, purse, backpack, etc., and include a list of medications and immunizations.
  • Make Copies of Important Papers – Keep important papers in a safety deposit box or with someone you trust.
  • Plan for Your Pet – Keep a phone list of pet-friendly hotels/motels, veterinarians and animal shelters.

DURING a wildfire, flood, earthquake, oil spill, tsunami or any other disaster, get information and updates at www.CountyofSB.org, CSB TV Channel 20, @CountyofSB on Twitter and FaceBook, or call 2-1-1 in the 805 area code or toll free (800) 400-1572.

City Proclamations for October

October was Domestic Violence Awareness month. In an effort to raise awareness about the issue, educate the public, and inspire action, the City issued a Proclamation officially designating the month of October 2017 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month at the October 17, 2017, City Council meeting. There are a number of resources in Santa Barbara County to help victims and survivors of intimate partner violence; one is Domestic Violence Solutions (DVS). In 2015/16, DVS:

  • Answered more than 6,250 calls.
  • Responded in over 468 law enforcement and emergency room situations.
  • Assisted 949 victims in acquiring legal assistance.
  • Provided 12,212 safe nights to victims of domestic violence.
  • Provided over 1,200 youth and adults with knowledge necessary to get help or assist a friend in an abusive relationship seek help.
  • Sheltered a wider range of clients, 62% of which were children.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has produced a video on sexual assault in Isla Vista, prevention and available resources. It can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBlvzB0Gmkw&t=10s.

Join a City Board or Commission!

Do you love where you live? Do you have skills that can help the community? Get involved by joining one of the City’s Boards or Commissions. There are currently vacancies for the Design Review Board and Public Tree Advisory Commission. The positions are open until filled. Click here to fill out an online application. For questions contact Deborah Lopez, City Clerk, at (805) 961-7505 or dlopez@cityofgoleta.org.

Design Review Board Vacancies
The Design Review Board (DRB) is a seven-member body whose responsibility is to encourage development exemplifying the best professional design practices in order to enhance the visual quality of the environment and prevent poor quality of design. The DRB has two vacancies for a professionally licensed architect and one vacancy for an alternate position. To be eligible to apply, candidates must be a qualified elector.  Members of the DRB are appointed to a three-year term. The DRB meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 3:00 p.m., and the position is compensated $50 per meeting.

Public Tree Advisory Commission Vacancies
The Public Tree Advisory Commission provides advice to staff and the City Council in developing plans and goals for the Goleta Urban Forest, represents the interests of the community and informs the community of the Urban Forestry program as directed by the City Council. Two appointments will be made to the Public Tree Advisory Commission. To be eligible to apply, candidates must reside within Goleta City limits and should have an interest in and/or experience in urban forestry or landscaping. Commissioners are appointed by the City Council and serve four year terms which expire at the first regular meeting of the first February following the expiration of the current term of office of the City Councilmember who appointed the Commission member. The Commission holds meetings on an as-needed basis and members are compensated at the rate of $50 per meeting.